Machine for use in manufacture of shoes



MACHINE FOR USE IN MANUFACTURE OF SHOES Filed Aug. 30, 1950 12Sheets-Sheet l Inventor Herman A. [mhof H. A. lMHOF 2,660,739

MACHINE FOR USE IN MANUFACTURE OF SHOES l2 Sheets-Sheet? f .m A. n a m wH By Zu' Attorney Dec. 1, 1953 FiledAug. so, 1950 Dec. 1, 1953 H. A.IMHOF MACHINE FOR USE IN MANUFACTURE OF SHOES l2 Sheets-Sheet 3 FiledAug. 50, 1950 vmwN bwentor Hefman A. fin/zof H. A. IMHOF MACHINE FOR USEIN MANUFACTURE OF SHOES Dec. 1, 1953 Filed Aug. 30, 1950 1 2Sheets-Sheet 4 Nww NwW I hhvr huvhl hr lilllll Dec. 1, 1953 H. A. IMHOFMACHINE FOR USE IN MANUFACTURE OF SHOES 12 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Aug. 30,1950 V Inventor Herman A. Zmhof Dec. 1, 1953 H. A. lMHOF 2,660,739

MACHINE FOR USE IN MANUFACTURE OF SHOES Filed Aug. 50, 1950 12Sheets-Sheet 6 Inventor HermanA. lmhof By Attorney Dec. 1, 1953 IMHOF2,660,739

MACHINE FOR USE IN MANUFACTURE OF SHOES Filed Aug. 50, 1950 12Sheets-Sheet '7 PITCH FEED A TOE LOWERED B TOE RAISED c E9 [3 InventorHrman A. fmhof' Dec. 1, 1953 [MHOF 2,660,739

MACHINE FOR USE IN MANUFACTURE OF SHOES Filed Aug. 30, 1950 12Sheets-Sheet 8 666, 672 66 568F570 F49. I4 554. I

664 I w 6 M w (115 6851; 625 666% 556 6 4 a, W645 555 566 /-6Z8 2 K i i10 16 g x 4 Inventor m. Herman A. [mhof &I:l2 55 y Dec. 1, 1953 H 02,660,739

MACHINE FOR USE IN MANUFACTURE OF SHOES Filed Aug. 30, 1950 12Sheets-Sheet 9 lnventar Her man A. [mhof Dec. 1, 1953 H. A. IMHOF}2,660,739

MACHINE FOR USE IN MANUFACTURE OF SHOES Filed Aug. 30, 1950 12Sheets-Sheet l0 [nventar fferfnan A. finhof Dec. 1, 1953 H. A. lMHOF2,660,739

MACHINE FOR USE IN MANUFACTURE OF SHOES Filed Aug. 30, 1950 12Sheets-Sheet l1 Dec. 1, 1953 H. A. lMHOF 2,660,739

MACHINE FOR USE IN MANUFACTURE OF SHOES Filed Aug. 30, 1950 12Sheets-Sheet 12 n u Imam-100 zz- 5 .98 ,zzo

. Inventor Herman A. [mho Patented Dec, 1, 1953 MAGHINE FOR USE INMANUFACTURE OF SHOES Herman A. Imhof, Beverly, Mass., assignor to UnitedShoe Machinery Corporation, Flemington, N. J., a corporation of NewJersey Application August so, 1950, Serial No. 182,230:

35 Claims.

The present invention relates to automatic machines for use in themanufacture of shoes, and is herein illustrated as embodied in anautomatic side lasting machine of type in which operating devices actsimultaneously along opposite marginal portions of a shoe, in a mannerdisclosed in United States LSJlZQI'S Patent No. 1,722,502, granted July30, 1929, No. 1,999,290, granted April 30, 1935, and No. 2,201,868,granted May 21, 1940, all on application of Robert H. Lawson, and No.2,489,416, granted November 29, 19419, upon application of the presentinventor. In these machines a shoe is presented progressively to theoperating devices and is positioned partly by power actuated mechanismsand partly by direct engagement with abutments on the operating devices.It is to be understood, however, that certain features of the inventionare well adapted for use in automatic machines other than lastingmachines, in which the operating devices act simultaneously alongopposite marginal portions of a shoe or in lasting machines which arenot fully automatic in the positioning movements imparted to a shoeduring its presentation to the operating devices.

In the machine of Patent No. 1,722,502 the operating devices act to lastprogressively, the op posite marginal portions of a shoe supportedupon ajack and means is provided for actuating the jack to impart properrelative feeding and positioning movements to the jack during a lastingoperation. The means for feeding and positioning th jack includes powerdriven mechanism having a pattern cam shaft for moving the shoelengthwise and in other respects. Included in the prior patentedpositioning means, which are not driven by power, are a pair of spacedshoe guiding abutments comprising presser feet or channel engaginganvils arranged to be yieldingly separated from each other so that theywill be maintained in continuous engagement along the surface inside therib of an insole as the shoe is fed'and a stationary foot acting on thefiat surface of the insole in cooperation with the channel engaginganvils to control the longitudinal tip'or pitch motion of the shoeduring feed, all three of the feet requiring direct upward pressure ofthe shoe against them to impart the proper motion to the shoe.

The machine of Patent No. 1,722,502, operates efficiently at relativelylow speeds but, if the speed of operation is increased substantially,the pressure required to hold the shoe against the stationary abutmentfoot becomes excessive so that frictional resistance to movement alongthe .2 feet interferes with the feed and other positioning motionsimparted to the'shoe. For this rea-- son, the construction of themachine of that patent has been changed to provide additional powerdriven mechanism in place of the stationary abutment foot. Such powerdriven mechanism is disclosed in Patent No. 2,201,865 and is intended toimpart the longitudinal tip or, pitch motion to the shoe,'the.stationaryfoot having been eliminatedin the machine of that patent. In applyingthe additional power driven mecha nism to that machine, however, theconstruction and arrangement of the'shoe supporting jack has beenmodified to provide more space both'ror the additional mechanism and forgreater accessibility in making adjustments and replacement of Wornparts.

The shoe supporting jack of Patent N 0. 2,201,856 has enabled greaterspeed of operation and has simplified servicing the machine but at thesame time has, in turn, introduced diificulties in the way of inaccurateoperations where an attempt is made to last shoes having eitherexcessive lengthwise curvatures in the plane of the shoe bottom orhaving high arches, as in womens shoes. These difticulties primarilyresult from improper coordination between the feed and pitch motionsimparted to the shoe throughout a range of shoe sizes.

The lengthwise shoe feeding mechanisms only of the machines described inall the patents above referred to have adjustable connections to changethe lengths of feed motions in accordance with the sizes of shoesoperated upon. In the machine of Patent No. 2,201,866, the modified jacksup porting structure comprises pivotally connected arms and links withfeed and other connections in the mechanisms'for moving the arms andlinks relatively to each other to impart both the feed and pitch motionsto the shoe, the other connections being actuated by separatecoordinated cams driven by the pattern cam shaft.

' With adjustable connections in the feed mech anism only, any change inadjustment therein will not always cause accurate coordination'of thefeed motion with those motions imparted by the other connections, unlessthe change in feed adjustment produces a proportionate change in theother motions throughout the range of travel of the shoe between allsuccessive points on the shoe. In the modifiedjacl: mounting structureof Patent No. 2,201,866, the pivotally connected arms and links of allthe connections are subject to foreshortening action, so that a change ifeed adjustment; may cause an unproportionately short feed motion forthe first few lasting operations and too long a feed motion for theremainder of the lasting operations. Thus, with a high arch shoe, whereit is necessary to provide a quick pitch motion between the forepart andthe shank, unless the lengthwise feed motion always brings the end ofthe shank accurately to the point of operation of the lasting unitsthroughout the full range of feed adjustments, the quick pitch motionwill occur too soon with extremely large shoes. As a result, the lastingunits cannot act to tension the upper at right angles to the shoe bottomor to insert lasting fastenings in the right relation to the sewing ribof the insole and the channel engaging anvils may slip off the i Oneobject of the present invention is to avoid I the difficultiesencountered in improper lasting operations in a machine of the typereferred to, as a result of inaccurate coordination between thelengthwise feed, pitch and other motions in a shoe when adjustments aremade in the shoe feeding connections only. Another object is to providea side lasting machine of the type referred to, with simply operated andreadily controlled adjustable connections in its actuating mechanisms,such that a change in adjustment of one set of connections will not bereflected in the operation of another set, thus facilitating flexibilityof operation when different types, styles and extreme sizes of shoes areoperated upon.

A further object is to provide a shoe machine in which the desirablefeatures of both the machines disclosed in the patents are combined intoa unitary assemblage, avoiding the imperfections of both patentedconstructions.

An important feature of the invention, in pursuance of the above notedobjects, resides in a construction of a side lasting machine generallysimilar to that disclosed in the patents referred to, having a mainbase, operating devices provided with a pair of shoe guiding andengaging abutments acting along the marginal portions of a shoe bottom,at opposite sides of a center line running between the marginalportions, a jack frame on the base, and shoe supporting means on theframe including one or more arcuately movable carriages, preferablyguided about intersecting axes, one of the axes passing transversely tothe length of the shoe and an additional carriage guided for rectilinearfeed motion lengthwise of the shoe on one of the arcuately guidedcarriages, in which separate mechanisms driven by a pattern cam shaftare provided for actuating both the feed carriage and the arcuatelyguided carriage which supports it, to insure presentation of the shoeproperly to the operating devices under all conditions of adjustment inthe feed mechanism. As herein disclosed, the arcuately guided carriageon which the feed carriage is mounted is movable to impart a pitchmotion to the shoe about an axis running transversely to the length ofthe shoe through the points of engagement of the guiding abutments withthe shoe. Any change in adjustment of the connections in the mechanismfor actuating the feed carriage corresponding to a change in shoe sizewill, with this arrangement, have no undesirable reaction in the form ofa substantial component motion in the arcuately guided pitch carriage.To promote this result further, the reaction of one carriage motion onanother is minimized by providing an irreversible drive in theconnections for the pitch carriage. Such arrangement prevents reactionon the pattern cam shaft through the pitch mechanism. To reduce theeffects of friction and mass in the relatively moving parts of the jackand shoe supporting means and to provide less opportunity for theseeffects to be reflected from one mechanism to another, in accordancewith this feature, the feed and pitch mechanisms are so constructed thatthey act at different times in each operating cycle.

Further features of the invention reside in improvements in mounting theshoe supporting means on the jack frame, a construction being providedsuch that a better balance will be obtained between the pressuresagainst the shoe bottom of the respective guiding means as the operationprogresses than in prior machines of this type. In the preferred form ofthis latter feature, components of forces applied to the shoe by theguiding means tending to displace the shoe from proper operatingposition are substantially. nullified.

These and other features of the invention, including improvements injack raising, unit spreading and turning and lasting gripper actuatingmechanisms, as hereinafter described and claimed, will readily beapparent from the following detailed description and accompanyingdrawings, in which,

Fig. 1 is a view in left side elevation of an automatic shoe sidelasting machine embodying the features of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional plan view taken along the line II-II of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view in right side elevation of the machine;

Fig. i is a view in front elevation on an enlarged scale of the jack anda shoe thereon, of the machine of Figs. 1 and 3;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the shoe clamp releasing mechanism in thejack;

Fig. 6 is a plan View in section of the parts illustrated in Fig. 5, asviewed in the direction of the arrow VI of that figure;

Fig. '7 is a plan view of the jack with the shoe removed;

Fig. 8 is a sectional detail view on a further enlarged scale takenalong the line VIII-VIII of Fig. 4;

Fig. 9 is a detail view of the mounting block for the shoe supportingcradle, partly broken away to illustrate a cradle shifting connection;

Fig; 10 is a plan view of the bottom of a shoe of extreme curvaturewhich may be operated upon successfully in the present machine;

Fig. 11 is a view in front elevation of a portion of the supportingstructure for the jack;

Fig. 12 is a detail view of the upper tensioning gripper actuatingmechanism in the machine;

Fig. 13 is a time chart illustrating two successive lasting cycles ofoperation including the shoe pitch and feed motions;

Fig. 14 is a detail view on an enlarged scale of a portion of thelasting unit spreading mechanism with a spring displaced to the rightfor clarity of illustration;

Fig. 15 is a sectional detail view of another portion of the unitspreading mechanism;

Fig. '16 is a detail view in right side elevation of parts of the unitspreading mechanism, the jack supporting toggle actuating cam lever andthe auxiliary jack raising cam lever in the machine;

Fig. 17 is a sectional view of a part of the mechanism illustrated inFig. 16 as seen from the line XVII-XVII;

Fig. 1.8 is a detail perspective view with some the jack supportingparts broken away and in separated relation to illustrate more clearlythe arrangement thereof;

Fig. 19 is a View of the cradle shifting and balancing mechanism on anenlarged scale as viewed in the direction of the arrow XIX in Fig. 3

Fig. 20 is a view of the same mechanism looking in the direction of thearrow XX of 3; and

Fig. 21 is a detail view of the feed slide actuating and feed adjustingmechanism.

The machine illustrated in the drawings is an automatic shoe sidelasting machine having a main hollow base or frame 2, two sets oflasting units comprising upper tensioning and fastening devicespivotally mounted for swinging movement toward and from each other in ahead 3 of the machine mounted on the frame 2. The lasting units arearranged to act simultaneously and progressively along opposite marginalportions of a shoe. These units, except as hereinafter described, areprovided with rib-engaging abutments and are the same in constructionand mode of operation as the units disclosed in United States LettersPatent No. 2,418,140 granted April 1, 1947, upon joint application ofCharles A. Robinson and the present inventor, as well as being generallythe same as those disclosed in the patents hereinbefore referred to. Themachine also has a jack provided with shoe supporting and clamping meanswhich is moved step-by-step to feed the shoe during the lastingoperations and to present portions of the shoe upper along the sides ofthe shoe successively to the upper tensioning and fastening devices andwhich is mounted on the main machine frame 2. For actuating the uppertensioning and fastening devices, the illustrated machine is providedwith an operating cam shaft 4 in the head 3 and for presenting the shoeon the jack properly to the lasting units, power driven mechanism isincorporated in the ma" chine including main and auxiliary pattern camshafts 5 and 6 rotating in unison in the main frame 2. To enable all thecam shafts to be driven in proper timed relation to each other theoperating cam shaft 6 is connected through driving mechanism to the mainpattern cam shaft 5. A stopping mechanism driven in part by theoperating shaft 4 and in part by the main cam shaft 5 is actuated afterthe completion of the operations on the shoe to perform certainauxiliary operations and to bring the machine to rest with the shoereleased and freed from the jack in a manner more fully disclosed inUnited States Letters Patent No. 2,489,416, granted November 29, 1949,and No. 2,589,392, granted March 18, 1952, both in the name of thepresent inventor. The machines of the patents referred to are arrangedto cause the shoe to be presented to the lasting units in part by thepower driven mechanism, above mentioned and in part by the shoe bottomand rib engaging positioning abutments. For this purpose, the abutmentscomprise channel engaging presser feet or stapling anvils yieldinglypressed against the inner sides of opposite sewing ribs on the insole ofa shoe as the shoe is fed. The lasting units are connected for equalmovements in opposite directions so that they move toward and from acenter line running along a shoe between the marginal portions of theshoe. In many instances this center line is a reverse curve and the shoeis moved transversely of its length to accommodate the curvature ofthe-center line, the lasting units being guided for operation atopposite sides of the center-line. I

Referring more particularly to Fig. 12 of the drawings, the abutments orfeet are indicated at "i, each carried by a support for one of thelasting units indicated at 8, pivotally mounted at E0 on the head Theabutments 7 cause the shoe to roll about a lengthwise axis as it is fedbesides causing the lasting units to move toward and from each other asthe width of the insole varies along its length. 7

In the machine of Patent No. 1,722,502 an additional shoe positioningabutment is provided comprising a stationary foot secured to the head ofthe machine in proper position to bear against the shoe bottom betweenand at the rear of the rib engaging abutments. The stationary footserves with the rib engaging abutments to maintain the shoe bottom atthe point of operation-of the lasting units in a substantiallyhorizontal plane, the stationary foot causing the shoe to pitch about anaxis transverse to the length of the shoe passing through the points ofengagement of the rib engaging abutments with the shoe sole.

While such arrangement is effective for relatively slow speeds ofoperation and where relatively flat bottom shoes are operated upon, ithas been found more advantageous to impart the pitch motion to the shoeby power driven mechanism rather than by a stationary shoe engaging andpositioning abutment. This purpose has been effected in the machines ofthe patents above-identified, other than No. 1,722,502, but in so doingthe jack supporting structure has been modified in a manner which insome instances introduces difficulty in adjusting and properlycontrolling the machine.

In all the machines of the patents, except No. 1,722,502, referred tothere are provided automatic adjustments for regulating a power drivenfeed motion of the shoe to correspond with the size of the shoe operatedupon. Due to the construction of the jack supporting structure in themachine of Patents Nos. 1,999,298 and 2,201,866 employing power drivenpitch mechanism, certain components of feed motion are required to beincorporated in the pitch mechanism and certain components of pitchmotion in the feed mechanism. Accordingly, when adjustments are made inthe feed mechanism only, the timed relation of the correspondingcomponents of feed motion incorporated in the pitch mechanism may not bemaintained exactly at all times during operation of the machine. Withimproper timing between the feed and pitch motions and their respectivecomponents, proper presentation of a shoe to the lasting units isrendered extremely difilcult for a full range of shoe sizes particularlywith deep shank shoes, which require quick pitch motions.

In accordance with the present invention, the jack supporting structureand the power driven mechanisms therefor are so arranged thatsubstantially no component of motion need be incorporated in onemechanism for correcting the motion imparted by any other mechanism andthe mechanisms for actuating the jack are so constructed that the timedrelation of one mech- 7 anism always will correspond throughout themotion imparted thereby to similar motions imparted by the othermechanisms. The motions thus are properly coordinated in a predeterminedmanner, such that with an adjustment in the overall length of feedmotion corresponding proper motions are insured at the requisite timeswith all the other mechanisms, separate adjustment not being required.By such arrangement proper presentation of the shoe is possible with afull range of shoe sizes. Furthermore, any one of the jack actuatingmechanisms ma'y'be adjusted independently of the other'mechanisms muchmore simply than with prior machines.

The shoe supporting means on the jack illustrated in the drawingsincludes a jack frame l2, secured to a vertically movable spindle in theform of a tube l t, slidingly mounted in bearings It and I8. Thebearings 16 and I8 are formed in a bracket 20 bolted to the main machineframe 2. To prevent rotation of the spindle in its bearings it hasclamped to it an arm 22 (see particularly Fig. 11') projecting to theleft of the spindle and entering within a closely fitting groove 2:; ina forwardly projecting lug on the bracket 20. The jack frame is movablewith its spindle vertically to raise and lower the shoe toward and fromoperating position.

To enable a pitch motion to be imparted to the shoe by rotation about anaxis extending trans versely of the length of the shoe and passingthrough the points of engagement with the rib engaging abutments on theshoe bottom, the jack frame carries. two pairs of rolls 2% (see Figs. 4and '7) entering arcuat'e slots 28 for guiding a pitch carriage 38. Theslots 28 are formed in a part of the carriage 39, one slot being formedin each side of the carriage to provide a Wide base of support. Tomaintain proper alinement oi the pitch carriage, the sides of thecarriage along the slots 28 bear against rolls 32 rotatable aboutvertical axes supported by the jack frame. For the feed motion, thepitch carriage has mounted on it for rectilinear motion lengthwise ofthe shoe, a feed carriage 34 the shoe eing retained thereon againstrelative lengthwise movement. To guide the feed carriage, the pitchcarriage has three spaced parallel guideways 3E, 35 and 4B.

As has been stated, a feature of the invention relates to the use ofseparate mechanisms driven by the bottom cam shaft for actuating thepitch and feed carriages, there being no interconnection and essentialcomponents of the motion imparted to one carriage are notimparted by themechanism for the other carriage. Thus, the pitch and feed motions arekept separate and are properly coordinated regardless of the adjustmentof the feed actuating mechanism. To support the feed carriage in theguideways 35, 38 and it, it has fastened thereto three brackets 42, Mand 5 to which are secured horizontal studs for antifriction rolls 48,one on each bracket. To prevent lateral displacement of the rolls isfrom their guideways, the bracket 42 carries a pair of verticallydisposed rolls 5!! engaging opposite sides of the guideway 36 and thefeed carriage 35 carries a pair of spaced vertically disposed rolls 52engaging opposite sides of the guideway ii! on the pitch carriage.

Besides lengthwise pitch and feed motions, a shoe on the jack hasimparted to it a motion of roll about a lengthwise axis and a transversebalancing motion to insure substantially equal pressures of the shoeengaging abutments 1 on the shoe. The roll motion is not imparted bypower actuated mechanism but by direct engagement of the abutments withthe shoe. To guide the roll motion of the shoe on the jack, the feedcarriage 36 has pivotally mounted upon it for rocking movement about thelengthwise axis of the shoe, a shoe balancing cradle or carriag'e 53constructed and mounted in a manner similar to that disclosed in PatentsNo. 2,489,416 and No. 2,589,392, the shoe being releasably clamped onthe cradle. The shoe on the cradle has an upper 5-3 and a ribbed insole55 sup ported upon a last 58 (see Figs. 10 and 12) The center line ofthe shoe is indicated at 51, in Fi 10.

The mechanism for imparting to the feed carriage a straight line motionlengthwise of the shoe, as in the machines of prior Patents Nos.1,999,298, 2,201,866 and 2,589,392, is actuated from one of the twopattern cam shafts 5 and 3 geared at 89 (Fig. 1) for simultaneousrotation together in the main frame 2 of the machine. The feed cam,indicated at 62, is secured to the projecting end of the pattern camshaft 8 beneath he jack supporting structure and is engaged by a camfollower roll E4 (Fig. 21) carried by a lever 58 having an integral hubrotatably mounted in a bearing formed in a boss 58 in the main frame ofthe machine (see Figs. 3 and 11). The cam roll 64 is pressed yieldinglyagainst the cam 62 by a spring BB connected between the lever 6t and 2.lug on the machine frame. Before operation of the machine, the lever 66is rotated about its fulcrum and the rotation of the lever transfers anautomatically adjustable feed motion to the carriage M, which motion isuniform throughout the range of travel of the lever with any sizeadjustment of the connections.

For the purpose of adjusting the feed motion automatically, an upwardlyextending arm of the lever 56 has a guideway within which a slide baris, comprising a variable effective length arm on the lever 66 ismovable in a direction radially of the fulcrum of the lever. The upperend of the bar it! has pivotally mounted on it a block 52 slidinglymounted in an inclined slot it of a feed carriage driving slide '16. Thelower end of the bar has connected to it a tension spring 17 for drawingthe bar yieldingly downwardly. The bar iii when moved relatively to thelever GB increases or decreases the movement imparted to the slide it.

The feed carriage driving slide F6 is operatively connected to the feedcarriage through a uniform ratio linkage and a driven slide ?8 mountedfor spaced parallel movement in a guideway on the bracket 253. Thedriving slide 16 has a horizontal sleeve-like portion slidingly mountedon a rod 83 secured at its ends in lugs on the bracket 2 the slide beinglocated between the lugs.

The uniform ratio linkage for the feed motion is in the form of aparallelogram comprising a link 82 rotatably mounted at the outer end ofthe pattern cam shaft 5 and a lever 8 disposed in parallel relation tothe link 52 but spaced therefrom by links 8-5 and 88 also disposed inparallel relation. The members of the parallelogram are maintained intheir parallel relationship by pivotal joints 9%, 92 and 94 between themincluding the outer end of the cam shaft 6, on which the link 32 isrotatably mounted, the joint 92 connecting the link 88 at anintermediate location on the lever 33 so that the upper end of the lever84 is pivotally connected at 95 to the driven slide I8 and the drivinslide It is connected to the parallelogram by means of a pivot St on thelink 88 between its ends at a location which will enable the two slidesto move along their guideways without causing excessive frictionalforces to be applied to the members of the parallelogram;

The driven feed carriage slide 18 has formed on its forward surface rackteeth ngaging an elongated vertically disposed pinion Sl (see Fig. 21)secured to the lower end of a shaft 58 rotatable in bearings in the jackframe I2. At the upper end of the shaft 98 is a large spurgear Ifiiimeshing with a smaller gear IE2 (Fig. 7) secured to a short shaft Hitrotatably mounted in a rearwardly projecting lug on the jack frame.Above the gear I02 is a universal joint I95, best shown in Figs. 1 and 2and connected with a sliding torque transmitting coupling I08. The upperend of the coupling I08 is in turn connected to a universal joint IIBhaving its uppermost member secured to a shaft IIZ- rotatable in a lugprojecting rearwardly from the pitch carriage 3b. The upper end of theshaft IIZ carries a spur gear II l meshing with a rack IIB (see Fig. 7)secured to an overhanging flanged plate H8 projecting from the feedcarriage 3' 3. Movement of the driven slide I rotates the pinion 9'! andthe gears driven thereby to move the feed carriage lengthwise of theshoe without imparting any component of motion to the pitch carriage. I

The adjustment of the feeding mechanism is accomplished automatically,as in the machine of Patent 1,999,298, merely by bringing a shoe on thejack into proper starting position relatively to the lasting units. Themovement of the shoe jack to bring the shoe into operating positionshifts the slide 18 and transmits a length changing motion of the slidethrough. connections to be described, to the variable length bar Iii.These connections are illustrated in Fig. 11 and comprise a flexiblecable I 2& fast at one end to the pivot 95 on the slide it and at theother end carried about a pulley I22. The extreme end of the cable onthe pulley is secured thereto by a clamp I24 and the pulley is rotatablymounted. on a fixed pin 25 with a larger pulley 528 having wound aboutits periphery a second cable lit? secured thereto by a clamp I The cableits runs horizontally from the lower edge of the pulley its to an idlerpulley rotatably mounted on a, pin I33 at the upper end of an arm itspivoted at I the bracket 25. From the pulley 134, the cable 536 extendsdownwardly and is fastened to a pin I42 at the upper end. of the slidebar i l. The arrangement is such that as the jacked shoe is moved in thedirection of feed to bring it into proper operating position at thestart of lasting operation, the connections thus de-- scribed betweenthe feed carriage and the slide bar on the variable length arm of theleverfifi automatically bring the slide bar to the proper adjustedposition against the tension of spring "5?. The slide bar is then lookedin adjusted position and the operation on the shoe is started.

To prevent the cable liiii from becoming disengaged irom the grooves inthe pulleys i2 3 and l 34, the pivot 33 on the arm I 2-38 is connectedto spring l l i stretched between the pivot and a the shoe progr sses,the spring we moves the arm I38 away from an adjustable stop rod Hi8threaded into the bracket Zll to keep a steady tension on the cable. Thestop rod its is in the form of a set screw having a lock nut to retainit in adjusted position.

To look the slide bar it in adjusted position when the operation on theshoe is started the slide bar along its innermost surface has cuttherein a series of teeth I52 engaged by correspending teeth at theinner end of a yielding two-part plunger 154, shown more clearly in Fig.having projecting rearwardly therefrom an adjustable screw I55. Theplunger I54 is slidingly mounted within a hollow sleeve E53 journaled inthe hub of the cam lever 65, the hub of the cam lever being rotatablymounted in the boss 58.

Cooperating with the adjustable screw I55 in the plunger I54 to lock thebar It is a cam arm I63 rotatably mounted on a pin 62 fixed in themachine frame. The cam arm too has an inclined surface along itsrearward edge engaged by a roll I64. carried by a horizontal arm of alock actuating lever N36. The lever Itb is ful- 1 crumed on a shaft I68fixed in the machine frame.

and is raised to press the cam arm I69 against the adjustable screw I55on the lock plunger by the engagement along the under surface of thehorizontal arm on the lever I with a pin :76 adjustably secured in avertical treadle rod Iii.

The treadle rod I12 is pivotally connected at its lower end with astarting treadle lever il l fulcrumed on a pin lit in the base of themachine.

'. At its upper end, as shown in Fig. 3, the treadle rod 1'22 engages ablock I'll secured to a rod I??? of the driving and stopping mechanism,the block projecting through a slot in the machine frame. The drivingand stopping mechanismis the same as disclosed in United States LettersPatent No. 2,423,852, granted July 15, 1M7, upon application of C. A.Robinson and the present inventor.

Before starting the machine in operation on a new shoe. The slide bar IQis unlocked ready for readjustment of the shoe feeding motion inaccordance with the size of the new shoe, the bar being drawn downwardlyby the spring ii. For this purpose, the horizontal arm of the lockactuating lever IE5 is rocked downwardly in a counterclockwise directionto cause the cam arm lot to be disengaged from the screw i556 onthelocking plunger. In rocking downwardly the horizontal arm of the leverIE5 is brought to rest in engagement with a lug, indicated by the dotdash lines It!) (see Fig. 16) on the frame of the machine.

To rock the horizontal arm of the lock actuating lever I66 downwardly atthe end of the lasting operations on a shoe the vertical arm thereofcarries a pin itZ engaged by a shoulder on a, releasing arm i8 3. Thereleasing arm Ifid is pivotally mounted at it on a cam lever 83fulcrumed on a cross shaft I 943 in the machine frame. The cam lever itshas adjustably clamped to its lower end a roll Edi actuated-by a cam I52on the main pattern cam shaft 5. The cam i532 is shaped to act throughthe connections described to unlock the size adjusting slide bar iii.

In order that look actuating lever ltd may be actuated to lock the slidebar iii in size adjusted position in starting the machine, the treadlerod lift has mounted upon it a pin I93 against which the extreme forwardend of'the releasing its rests. When the treadle rod 512 is raised instarting the machine the pin it?! raises the shoulder on the releasingarm from engagement with the pin 182 on the lock actuating lever Hibefore the lever His is moved substantially.

To prevent lasting pressures on the shoe engaging abutments fromreacting adversely on the pitch mechanism, in the illustrated machine,irreversible drive connections are provided in the pitch mechanismcomprising an arcuate rack lfi on the pitch carriage 39, a gear sectorE95 meshing with the rack I94 and formed integrally with the hub of aworm wheel I98, rotating on a shaft 256 secured in the jack frame i2.Engaging the teeth on the worm wheel I98 is a low pitch worm 262. Theworm 202 is mounted on a shaft 2% rotating in a vertical bearing in thejack frame 12 and having at its lower end an elongated pinion 206clamped by a nut 208 to the shaft 294 (see Fig. 4) and engaged by adriving gear sector 210 (see also Figs. 1 and 3).

The gear sector 2w is keyed to the upper end of a vertical shaft 2 52,shown, in Fig. 11, rotating in a bearing in a bar 2M bolted to thebracket 213. At the lower end of the shaft 212 is a grooved Wheel 2H3surrounded by a flexible cable Zld actuated in turn by connectionsdriven from the main pattern cam shaft 5. After leaving the wheel 2 It,the cable passes over and downwardly from a pair of concentric pulleys22B rotatably mounted on the bracket and the ends of the cable aresecured to the periphery of a grooved wheel 222 fixed to the forward endof a horizontal shaft 224 rotating in the bracket. At the rearward endof the shaft 22a is a spur gear 226 engaging a sector projecting fromthe hub of a cam lever 228. The cam lever is fulcrumed on a stud 238secured in the main frame 2 of the machine. The cam lever 228 has a roll232 engaging a cam 2 on the auxiliary cam shaft 3. To hold the cam rollagainst the can. a spring 235 is stretched between the lever and themachine frame; The worm 2132 (Fig. 4) is rotated a large number of timesfor a small rotation of the worm wheel i98 preventing any tendency forthe wheel 19 3 to drive the worm 202. Thus, the reaction of the lastingunits on the shoe cannot readily be transferred through the connectionsof the pitch actuating mechanism beyond the worm and worm wheel. I

To prevent the feed motion imparted to the shoe from reacting on thepitch mechanism, the feed cam 62 and the pitch cam 23d (Figs. 11 and 13)are cut with steps and alternate dwells. These cams are secured to theauxiliary cam shaft 6 in such angular relation that the steps of therespective cams are disposed in out-ofphase time relation. When the toeof the shoe is lowered the pitch motion is imparted to the shoe firstand the feed motion after the pitch motion is completed. When the toe israised, the sequence of pitch and feed movements is reversed. Suchtiming also avoids the necessity of feeding the shoe upwardly againstthe downward pressures of the abutments l, the feed carriage beinginclined.

The operation of the pitch and feed cams will more readily be understoodby reference to Fig. 13. This figure illustrates the time relation ofthe pitch and feed motions imparted to the jack between three successivelasting operations, in dicated in the figure by the designations A, Band C. The first illustrated motion of the jack from A to B requires 30rotation of the pattern cam shaft between successive lasting operationswith the shoe thrown into a position in which the toe is lowered belowthe heel. The pitch motion is imparted first, the pitch carriage 30moving about an axis'passing through the points of engagement of theabutments l on the shoe bottom transversely to the length of the shoe.After the pitch motion has been completed the feed motion is started,causing the shoe to slide downwardly along the abutments the distancebetween successive lasting operations. Due to the frictional engagementof the abutments with the shoe there may be a substantial reaction onthe jack supporting structure. However, this reaction will not ailectthe pitch motion of the shoe for the reason that the downward force ofthe abutments on the shoe is applied substantially at the center ofpitch motion. Further, the irreversible drive in the pitch mechanismprevents reaction on the pitch cam or" the pattern cam shaft from thiscause.

It is possible to retain these beneficial results regardless of thedirection of pitch motion. In the first 30 of rotation ofthe pattern camshaft from A to B the pitch motion is illustrated as being imparted in adirection to bring the shoe into a position with the toe lowered and inthe second 30 rotation of the pattern cam shaft from B to C the pitchmotion is imparted in the opposite direction to raise the shoe toe abovethe heel. However, when the feed carriage is pitched downwardly at thetoe end, the feed motion is imparted last as indicated from A to B. Whenthe toe end is raised the pitch motion is imparted last as from B to C,the feed alwaysoccurring in the same direction between successivelasting operations, with no undesirable reactions being produced ineither instance.

In the machine of prior Patent No. 2,489Al6, the shoe balancing cradlesupporting the shoe is guided for arcuate movement about a pivotalmounting axis intersecting the axis of the pitch carriage and extendinglengthwise of the shoe. The cradle rocks about the pivotal mounting forthe cradle to balance the forces applied to the shoe by the abutments ofthe lasting units. As the lasting operation progresses the cradle isshifted on its pivotal mounting. In the machine of that patent a cradleshifting countershaft is mounted directly in the frame of the jack sothe t the connections between the cradle and the jaclr frame will be assimple and direct as possible. In the machine of the present inventionthe parts of the jack structure are somewhat heavier and provide lessopportunity for the location of the auxiliary cradle-balancingcountershaft. Accordingly, in the machine of the present invention thecradle-balancing countershaft is rotatably mounted on the main machineframe 2 and the mechanism for shifting the cradle includes a Bowden wireactuated connection to the jack.

The illustrated cradle balancing mechanism en ables the shoe engagingabutments l to act with substantially equal pressures along a shoe atopposite sides of a'reversely curved center line, such as illustrated at5'! in Fig. 10, running between the marginal portions defined by thesewing ribs of the insole on the shoe bottom (see Patent No. 1,999,298).As in the machine of Patent No. 2,489,416 the pivotal mounting for thepresent illustrated cradle 58 extends lengthwise of the shoe andcomprises angularly disposed pivot rolls 236 and 248 on the feedcarriage 34 engaging slots in a guideway block 246. The block Z lfl ismounted on a second block 242 bolted to it and provided with an integraloifset arm 2M. on which the toe rest of the shoe clamping means ismounted.

The shoe clamping means is directly mounted on the balancing cradle andcomprises a heel clamp in the form of a bblock 23-6 mountedv formovement toward and from the toe rest. Conel clamp with the toe rest aholare provided with mounting ch are rotatable pressure rolls teen 2.pair of guide-way plates The rolls 252 and the i o. the rolls 23% and238 and the bio-cl; 2+. 2 rovide a c "tilever mounting on the feed canfor the l 1 support end of the cradle. shutting the oral transi e eelyoi the length of a shoe on the means, con 41' about which the cradlerocks is changed.

To shift the cradle transversely of the shoe length in a manner toresist components of heightwise pressure on a shoe, the feed carriagehas projecting rearwardly therefrom, adjacent to the toe rest, a pair ofparallel bars 256 (see Figs. 3, a and 7). Mounted on the bars 256 is aslide or yoke 25 having clamped th reto a U-shaped plate with itsforward end connected to a strap 2532. On the free end of the strap is aroll 2%, best shown in Figs. 8 and 9. The roll 26% engages a slot 256 inthe block 242 extending heightwise of a shoe on the cradle. Theheightwise slot 256 enters the block 242 from a side opening 268therein. The roll engaging slot in the block idii is formed transverselyto the length of a shoe on the cradle as in the priormachine so thatwith the added heightwise slot 265 for the roll downward pressureapplied to the shoe and cradle is distributed between the rolls 2% and26% as the cradle rolls on its pivotal mounting. the cradle rolls aboutits pivotal mounting the division of downward pressure on the rolls maychange, with the result that positive location of the cradle isdetermined transversely of the shoe length even when operating uponshoes requiring excessive rolling movement of the cradle.

To reduce the horizontal component of downward pressure applied to theroll 26 as the shoe is rocked about the roll 236, the transverse-slot,indicated at 2'29, in which the pivot roll 23% rides, extends parallelto the bottom of the shoe and is curved upwardly somewhat at its ends.This form of curvature is selected as a result of analysis in operationof the machine on shoes of varying curvatures which require shiftingmovement of the cradle trans-v rselv to the length of a shoe in adirection to bring the downward pressure on the roll 235 more nearlynormal to the upper surface of the transverse slot 2'10.

The Bowden wire actuated connection for shifting the cradle 53transversely of the shoe length is indicated at 2'22 and is connected tothe slide or yoke The sheath of the Bowden wire is connected to a brace2M clamped to the rearward ends of the bar 256. The Bowden wireconnection runs rearwardly and downwardly and terminates in a socket2'56 pivotally connected to one arm of a V-shaped carriage shiftinglever tit fulcrumed on a shaft 23% (see Figs. 19 and 2 9) secured in aninclined position to a block 232 made fast to the frame 2 of-the machine. The sheath of the Bowden wire 212 is also clamped to the machineframe at 23, shown in Fig. 3.

Referring again to Figs. 19 and 20, the other arm of the carriageshifting lever 278 has a lengthwise groove into which fits a block 284through a central perforation of which ertends the lower end of a bolt286 adjustably clamped low inclip studs on plates in turn to a slottedarm 288. The arm 288 is secured to the upper end. of a shaft 290rotatably mounted in a bearing at one corner of a triangular fulcrumsupporting member 292. The member 292, in turn, serves a a leverrotatable on the shaft 289 below the lever 2'58. The member 292 also hasa projecting arm carrying a pair of frusto-conical rolls 2% engagingside surfaces of one of a pair of semi-circular collars 296 having a hubloosely fitting the cradle balancing shaft in th form of a horizontalcountershaft 298. The countershaft 298 is rotatably mounted below theblock 282 in a bracket 300 secured to the machine frame through anupwardly projecting portion mounted on a pin 392 (see Fig. 3) passingthrough ears extending rearwardly from the machine frame. To prevent thebracket 3% from rotating about the pin 362, the upwardly projectingportion of the bracket 3% has threaded in it bolt 3&3, securing it tothe rearward surface of a motor support plate 364 (see Fig. l).

The semi-circular collars 2965 act to change the limits of transversemovement imparted to the cradle and the feed carriage while balancingthe downward pressures of the shoe engaging abutments along the centerline running between the marginal portions of the shoe bottom, in amanner similar to corresponding collars disclosed in Patent No.2,489,416. In the machine of this patent, the collars are relativelyadjustable but such adjustment has been found unnecessary in the presentmachine.

To shift the pressure balancing cradle transversely of the shoe on itspivotal mounting in the feed carriage as the center line of the shoecurves inth illustrated machine, a third corner of the frame 292 (Figs.19 and 29) has a bearing in which is rotatably mounted a stud formedintegrally with a cam lever 305 having a roll 3% engaging a slot in acradle balancing cam Bill. The cam 356 is also formed integrally withthe hub of the collars 295.

To transfer the motion of the cam lever 3% to the carriage shiftinglever Zl'ii the hub of the lever 395 has projecting from it a gearsegment tltmeshing with a similar segment 353 secured to the lower endof the shaft 2%. The motion of the cam lever is thus transferred throughthe gear segments 3! I, 313 to the arm 2% and to the shitting lever.

For rotating the collars 225 and the cam era the hub of the collars andcarries a sprocket 352 (see Fig. 3) about which passes lint. chain 35The link chain is guided along its lower side by idle sprockets Bill ona strap 3 i 9 clamped to the bracket and on the brackct 28,respectively. At the front of the machine chain 3M around a cradletransverse is also rotatabiy mounted a pulley 32d ncetahly coupled tothe sprocket thro spring-pressed locking plunger the pulley 324 it issurrounded by a cable engaging a grooved 353 3 (see Figs. 19 and 20)keyed to the shaft 22553 the shaft being rotated through connectionswith a cam on the pattern cam shaft During operation of the machine on ashoe, the cam 313i is rotated slightly less than 180 and after theoperations are completed the cam is returned to its starting position,the rolls 2% engaging the same semi-circular collar 2955. For

a right shoe one half of the cam is effective to move the roll 32S andfor a left shoe the opposite, half of the cam is effective. The shape ofthe cam 319 along the respective halves is such as to reverse thetransverse cradle balancing movement. The semiircular collars 288 areoffset axially for shifting the fulcrum member to cause the cradle to bemoved transversely a fixed distance when the cradle balancing movementis reversed for right or left shoes.

To reverse the cradle movement when changing from a right to a ft shoethe locking plunger retracted 'lroiu engagement with the and thesprocket are is rotated, relatively .e pulley 32 i, 186 to bring theopposite f the earn 3 i into engagement with the roh iter elativerotation of the L 2-23 the locking plunger 325 engages an in the pulley32 180 removed from the ope no o J .ally engaged. thereby.

To rotai the cradle balancing shaft 2% during oper ions of the machineits end opposite the cam Elf: (3F 19 .nd 20) carries a drum 32-32 to wich is clamp the ends of a cable 33 carrie. about c -1 in oppositedirections. From the drum the passes downwardly about a pair of pulleys336 rotating on a shoulder bolt carried by the bracket From the pulleys335 the cable passes about a drum can (see Fig. l) rotatably mounted inthe machine frame and actuated in a manner described more fully inPatent No. 2,201,866. Briefly the drum is rotated in one direction by acam lever 3 12' actuated by a 3-3 on the shaft 5 and in the otherdirection by a spring 3 36 connected. at one end to the drum and at theother end to a stu l.

To actuate the shoe clamping means in the cradle the heel clamp blockare is pivotally mounted at on an offset arm 35% mounted for rock amovement on a bolt 352 passing through a slot in a block 354 clamped tothe heel end. of the inclined bar 268. The arm 35!! rd. extensionpivotally connected to a sprocket opening link E. block 354. For movingthe heel clamp block toward from the toe rest the bolt 352 is movabl theslot of the block 354 and when t e block the heel of a shoe the bolt isin. position in the slot by a ratchet and pawl device more fullydescribed in Patent No. 2,489,416.

To insure level position as it moves toward and from the toe rest theheel clamp block 2 35 has a vertical slot within which is slidinglymounted. a block rotatable on a pin 36 carr' by an arm 355 secured tothe bolt 352. A downward extension of the arm 356 carries a stud 355entering slot 379} in the block 354. The operation of the arms 35% and366 is similar to that of corresponding arms disclosed in Patent No.2.48%),415.

To move the shoe heel clamp block Z lfi toward the toe rest the bolt 352is operated yieldingly by a of springs 312 (see Fig. 6) mounted in thefeed. carriage 35 through connections including a Bowden wire. In themachine of Patent No. 2,489,416 a corresponding spring is mounted in thejack frame and actuated by the cam which shifts cradle transversely ofthe jack frame to balance the forces of the shoe engaging abutments. Insome instance the arrangement of the patented. machine for rotating thecradle shifting and balancing cam does not impart a in turn rotatable ona pivot 358 in the 16 motion of sufficient length at the proper time foractuating the shoe clamping spring.

To improve the operation of the shoe heel clamp block both for clampingthe shoe and for resetting the heel clamp actuating springs 3H2 afterthe shoe is released, the present machine has connections actuated bythe springs 3?: and located in an inclinedportion of the feed slide 34.These connections extend to the guideway for the feed carriage and areactuated during relative movement between the feed carriage and itsguideway. These connections include a spring actuated link 3'34operatively connected with the bolt 352, a rod 3'65 pivotally connectedto the link 3'54, the Bowden wire above referred to, and shown at 378,the central member of which is connected to the rod. 3% and the sheathof which is connected at one end to the hollow inclined bar 2% in thecradle, the other end of the sheath being connected to a grooved collar335 in the feed carriage (see Fig. 6). The grooved collar 38G has anelongated tubular extension and is secured to the reed carriage by a fin38! (see Fig. 5) projecting through a. slot in the feed carriage from aplate 382. The plate 332 is secured to the feed carriage by screws 283.Slidingly mounted in the extension of the collar 389 is a push rod 384connected to the central member of the Bow-den wire 3'l8 with its lowerend threadedly connected to a block 388. The block 38 5 has lugs, bestshown in Fig. 6, at either side of the rod 384 which have threadedtherein the lower ends of a pair of rods 38% slidingly mounted in theinclined portion of the feed slide in parallel relation to the rod 334.The rods 385 are each surrounded by one of the springs 3'12 which arecompressed between collars 390 on the rods and a plate 392 secured atthe upper end of the inclined feed slide arm. The plate 332 hasperforations to receive the rods 38% and is secured to the feed slide bya pair of screws 394 (see Fig. 5).

The springs 312 act through the Bowden wire and other connections tomove the heel clamp 246 toward shoe clamping position but arerestrained. from so doing by an angularly disposed link 396 (Fig. 4)surrounding the bolt 352 for the heel clamp and a latch 398 pivoted on apin 4M1 in the cradle block 35 3. The latch 398 has an upwardlyextending projection acted upon by a spring 402 stretched between theprojection on the latch and a pin in the block 35s. To enable the heelclamp block to clamp a shoe the latch 398 is engaged by an actuatinglever 404 rotatably mounted on the pivot 358 in the block 354 andprovided with a handle 40$ clamped to the lever, the lever beingnormally held in operative position by a spring 363 compressed betweenit and the block 354.

At the upper ends of the spring supporting rocls 388 (Figs. 6 and 7)'they are connected together by a U-shaped brace ilo havinglaterallyprojecting ears to assist in manual opera-- tion. The brace issecured to the rods by clamp nuts 4H2 threaded on the rods. Withdrawalof the rod 388 by grasping the brace 4 lil compresses the springs 372and through the Bowden wire and other connections to the heel clampdisenga es the clamp block 246 from a shoe. Manual disengagement of theclamp block from the shoe may thus be accomplished at any time in theoperation of the machine after the operating parts have been brought torest.

After releasing the shoe at the end of the lastmg operations thereon,the shoe clamp releas-

